How to Plan the Perfect One Day in Montreal Itinerary

Montreal is a beautiful and unique city and feels like a piece of Europe in North America!

From its historic cobblestone streets to its trendy neighborhoods and delicious food, there’s something for everyone in this city.

While you could easily spend a week exploring Montreal, one day is still enough to see some of the city’s highlights.

This itinerary will walk you through exactly how to spend one day in Montreal, including must-see sights, the best places to eat, and some of the most popular neighborhoods.

I visited Montreal for one day during the first weekend in December and had an incredible time!

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One Day in Montreal Itinerary

I have included all the places mentioned in this blog post on the downloadable Google Map below to help make navigation during your trip easier.

Breakfast at St. Viateur Bagel Shop

You can’t go wrong by starting your day with a classic Montreal bagel from St. Viateur Bagel Shop. 

It is one of the most popular places in Montreal to grab a bagel!

They are boiled in honey water (contributing to their slightly sweet flavor) and baked in a wood-burning oven creating their crispy texture.

They have a wide variety of bagels, cream cheeses, and toppings.

Be aware that they only take cash, no credit or debit cards!

If you are craving a coffee, Tommy Cafe is a short walk down the street, and they serve up some excellent lattes and other espresso drinks.

If you’re into specialty coffee drinks, they have a unique Lucky Charms Latte!

Walk through the Mile End Neighborhood

After breakfast, I recommend exploring the Mile End neighborhood which is one of Montreal’s trendiest neighborhoods. 

Make sure to take the time to walk down Saint-Viateur Street and Fairmount Avenue, where there are numerous cafes and vintage shops.

Here are some things to do in the Mile End neighborhood:

• Drogheria Fine – Order some homemade gnocchi to-go at a walk-up window
• Drawn & Quarterly – browse this unique local bookstore
• Mile End Montreal Food Tour – join a guided food tour!
• Café Olimpico – popular coffee shop
• Bike Tour – fun way to explore the city!

Explore Mount Royal Park

After exploring Mile End, I recommend spending some time in the nearby Mount Royal Park, one of Montreal’s most iconic parks.

The highlight here is the Kondiaronk Belvedere, a scenic lookout that gives you incredible views of the city skyline. 

If you’re feeling up for it, take the hike to the top!

The quickest way to get to the top of Kondiaronk Belvedere is to take the Grand Staircase of Mount Royal. I would use Apple or Google Maps to get you there.

Fun Fact: This park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York City!

Visit Jean-Talon Market

Next, visit Jean-Talon Market, one of Montreal’s most popular food markets. 

It is one of North America’s largest public markets!

This is a great place to try fresh produce and grab a quick bite like crepes or poutine.

It’s the perfect spot to grab lunch—there are plenty of options, so whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, you’ll find something to eat!

Here is some food to try in the Jean-Talon Market:

• Crêperie du marché – yummy crepes
• Havre aux Glaces – ice cream and sorbet
• Mangue & Melon – fresh juice
• Gourmand d’ici – fish & chips and burgers

Walk Around the Le Plateau Mont-Royal

After lunch, head to the Le Plateau Mont-Royal, a neighborhood known for its colorful row houses.

I recommend taking a walk along Boulevard Saint-Laurent or Avenue du Mont-Royal.

This All Trails route takes you along these streets where you will pass cafes, boutiques, colorful historic homes, and beautiful murals.

Explore Old Montreal

Old Montreal was my favorite neighborhood in Montreal!

I recommend spending your afternoon here wandering the cobblestone streets, visiting the Place Jacques-Cartier, and stopping by the Notre-Dame Basilica to see its stunning interior.

The mix of history and old-world charm here is what makes Old Montreal one of the highlights of the city! It gave me similar vibes to Old Quebec City as well.

Things to do in Old Montreal:

• Crew Collective Cafe – unique coffee shop located in a former bank
• Schwartz’s Deli – famous smoked meat sandwiches!
• Notre-Dame Basilica – see the beautiful interior and stained glass windows
• Walk along Rue St Paul – one of the oldest streets in Montreal that has shops, cafes, and restaurants
• Place Jacques-Cartier – lively area in the heart of Old Montreal to walk around
• Marché Bonsecours – located in a historic market building where you can browse local goods
• Old Montreal Walking Tour – fun way to explore the city on foot with a knowledgeable guide!
• Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour – great way to try the best food in Montreal

Trying to decide if you should visit Montreal vs. Quebec City? Check out my blog post where I give an in-depth comparison between Montreal vs. Quebec City to see which city is right for you!

Visit the Old Port Area

From Old Montreal, you can walk to the Old Port area, where you can enjoy a different part of the city near the water.

If you’re interested, you can take a ride on the Grande Roue de Montréal, a large ferris wheel that offers great panoramic views of the city and the St. Lawrence River.

We did this when we visited in December, and it was especially scenic at nighttime when you could see all of the Christmas lights throughout the city.

It is pretty overpriced though but worth the experience if you think you would enjoy it! It cost us around $25 USD per person.

The ferris wheel took us around three times and probably took around 20-25 minutes if I had to guess.

Even if you don’t do the ferris wheel, the waterfront area is a great place to walk, relax, and take in the beautiful views.

Outside of the winter time, there is also a zipline you can do!

P.S. If you’re traveling internationally to Montreal, be sure to check out my blog post where we discuss 20 international travel tips!

Dinner in Little Italy

For dinner, I recommend heading to the Little Italy neighborhood which is of course well-known for its incredible Italian food!

Pizzeria Napoletana and Impasto are popular restaurants that serve up some great pasta, pizza, and other food options.

It’s the perfect way to end your one day in Montreal!

Nightlife in Quartier des Spectacles

If you’re wanting to enjoy the nightlife, I recommend finishing your night in the Quartier des Spectacles area which is Montreal’s entertainment district. 

During the summer, there is usually live music and festivals happening in this area as well!

It is a fun area to grab a drink or walk around before calling it a night.

Things to Do at Night in Montreal:

• Catch a Show at Place des Arts
• La Voute – trendy nightclub
• Club Soda – live music

If you’re also visiting Quebec City during your trip to Montreal, be sure to check out my blog post where we go over 31 unmissable things to do in Quebec City!

Helpful Information for Planning Your Trip to Montreal

Where to Stay in Montreal

When it comes to accommodations, Montreal has several options to choose from depending on your budget and style.

If you’re visiting for just one day, staying in or near Old Montreal would be my preferred choice since I loved that area so much.

Places to Stay in Old Montreal:

• Hôtel Place d’Armes Old Montreal – charming rooms & close to the Notre Dame
• Hotel William Gray – luxury boutique hotel with 2 rooftop terraces
• Hotel Nelligan – luxury hotel with historic charm and has 3 on-site restaurants

If you’re wanting to stay super close to the airport, I recommend staying in the Marriott In-Terminal Hotel which is actually located inside the airport. 

Even though it isn’t within walking distance to downtown Montreal we were able to take the 747(1) bus to get us to downtown Montreal in around 45 minutes.

It was nice to be able to wake up for our early morning flight and already be in the airport!

Public Transportation in Montreal

Montreal is a very walkable city, especially in areas like Old Montreal and the central downtown area. 

If you need to travel further, the Montreal public transit is affordable and easy to navigate, with four underground metro lines covering most of the major neighborhoods as well as buses.

I recommend using Apple or Google Maps and clicking the “bus” icon which will give you public transit directions and tell you which metro/bus to board and what stops to get on/off at.

If you’re spending one day in Montreal, consider getting a day pass for unlimited metro and bus rides which costs $11 CAD.

You can also always use taxis and Uber, but I honestly prefer public transit. I think it is fun to navigate public transit in a new city!

I wouldn’t recommend renting a car in Montreal since the city is walkable and has a great public transportation. 

I don’t think it would be very fun to drive in the city traffic or find parking which can be hard to find and expensive.

Learn more about the Montreal public transit here.

Flights to Montreal

If you’re flying into Montreal, you will fly into Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

It is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Montreal by car or about 45 minutes using public transit.

From the airport, you can take a taxi, Uber, or the 747 bus to take you to downtown Montreal.

We took the 747(1) bus to get to downtown Montreal from the airport, and it was great!

After leaving customs and the baggage claim area at the airport, you will see kiosks near Door 28 where you can buy a 747 bus ticket.

There are agents working there as well if you need help on what type of ticket to buy.

For our weekend trip, we purchased the weekend pass which was $15 CAD per person, and it was valid from Friday at 4:00 pm through Monday at 5:00 am.

Once you have bought your ticket, you will exit out the door to the right and walk past the Uber pickup area toward the waiting area for the 747 bus.

There are two 747 buses: the 747(1) and the 747(2).

I recommend boarding the 747(1) bus since it goes directly into downtown Montreal while the 747(2) only goes as far as the metro station.

However, either one will get you to your destination as you can also use the metro to get you into downtown Montreal.

I recommend using Apple Maps or Google Maps to give you public transit directions to your destination, and it will tell you which bus/metro stop to get off at that is closest to your destination.

To get public transit directions, click the “bus/train” icon instead of the “car” or “walking” icon.

The 747 bus has room on board to store your luggage and plenty of seating.

When boarding, you will simply just scan your bus ticket and that’s it!

You can also pay with exact cash when you board the bus.

P.S. Check out my blog post where we cover my top long flight essentials to help make your journey to Montreal more comfortable and enjoyable!

Should You Rent a Car in Montreal?

No, I don’t recommend renting a car in Montreal.

In my opinion, it is much easier to explore Montreal by walking or using public transit rather than driving a rental car.

Parking at hotels can be quite pricey and traffic can be difficult to navigate.

It is much easier to go without a car!

But, if you’re planning to take a day trip out of Montreal then a rental car might be needed.

If so, I recommend browsing Expedia for good rental car deals out of the Montreal Airport or in downtown Montreal.

Alamo is my favorite rental car company!

Frequently Asked Questions

1 Day Enough in Montreal?

One day is definitely not enough time to fully explore a large city, but it is 100% better than not visiting at all!

We spent one day in Montreal during the winter and one day in Quebec City and had an incredible time.

If you’re interested, check out my blog post where I discuss everything we did in Quebec City at Christmas.

I am a big believer in making the most of whatever time you have, and one day in Montreal is still enough to see several highlights and experience the atmosphere of the city!

That said, if you can spend more time in Montreal, I would recommend staying at least three to four days to explore the city at a more relaxed pace.

Is Montreal Walkable?

Yes, Montreal is a very walkable city which is always my favorite type of city!

I would much rather explore on foot since that is when you can find the hidden gems and just soak in the atmosphere of the city.

To cover longer distances, Montreal has a great public transit system with an underground metro and buses.

I recommend using Apple Maps or Google Maps and clicking on the “Public Transit” directions which is a bus/train icon.

It will tell you which metro line or bus to board depending on your location.

Can You Visit Montreal Without Speaking French?

Yes, you can absolutely visit Montreal if you don’t speak French.

While French is the primary language in Montreal, most people also speak English, especially in tourist areas.

I do recommend learning a few basic French phrases, like “Bonjour” (Hello) and “Merci” (Thank you) to be respectful and show some effort.

What is the Best Month to Go to Montreal?

If you want to visit during more pleasant weather, I recommend visiting between May and October.

Summer (June through August) is a great time to visit for warm weather, outdoor farmers markets, and festivals.

Fall (September through November) is an amazing time to visit to see the beautiful fall foliage around the city.

Winter (December through March) has its own unique charm with the snow-covered streets, Christmas markets, and ice skating!

If you visit during the winter, be sure to bundle up as it gets cold, and you don’t want that to stop you from exploring the city!

P.S. If you’re visiting Montreal during Christmas time, I highly recommend visiting Old Quebec City as well. Check out my Quebec City at Christmas itinerary!

How Many Days are Enough to Visit Montreal?

I believe at least three to four days is enough to visit Montreal to give you the time to explore the city at a more relaxed pace.

But, as I always say, one day is 100% better than zero!!

Conclusion

Montreal is a beautiful city full of history, culture, and great food, and even with just one day, you can experience many of its highlights!

From exploring Old Montreal to enjoying views from Mount Royal, this itinerary covers the best the city has to offer in a short amount of time.

I hope this one day in Montreal itinerary helps you plan a fun and memorable trip!